On the beautiful, sunny days of spring, bird poop will suddenly appear on all your patio, railings, and outdoor furniture. Online, there are all kinds of suggestions for what you can use to remove the icky white stain once you’ve scraped away the solid part, but it’s not clear which ones work and which are just conventional wisdom passed down from grandparents to bloggers. I tested three often-recommended methods to clear the stain (plus plain water, to see if it mattered), and here’s what I found.
Cleaning bird droppings with seltzer water
Using bubbly water was the first item on my list because it was highly recommended as a bird poop stain remover online. I did as Angi had instructed, letting it sit on the stain for a few minutes before using a scrubber to remove it. (I chose to use a melamine sponge instead of a brush, but an old toothbrush would also be very effective in this situation.) ).
The seltzer bubbles instantly frothed up on my wooden surface, resembling the effect of applying hydrogen peroxide to a cut. I gave it a minute before wiping it off, and with just a little prodding with my melamine sponge, there was absolutely no stain left.
In conclusion, this method functions well, although it still requires some cleaning after the seltzer is poured.
As far as cleaning equipment goes, it’s pretty straightforward. A shovel, along with buckets, brushes, scrapers, bin bags, and lots of water In case you need to remove a significant amount of dried droppings, a hosepipe comes in very handy.
We advise applying a disinfectant spray to the areas that require cleaning. This will help to soften and loosen the debris as well as reduce any flying dust when you begin to remove it. After allowing it to absorb for a minute or two, scrape the larger portions of the droppings into a garbage bag. This process may need to be repeated several times. Afterwards, reapply the spray, scrape the area, or use a stiff brush to clean it even more. Finally, use a sponge to wipe the area clean.
Pigeons and seagulls always leave a mess behind them when they perch or roost, including sticks, feathers, nesting materials, and the dreaded piles of pigeon excrement. It should go without saying that the messier the area becomes after the birds stay there longer. Bird droppings are not only unsightly but can also discolor stonework due to their acidic nature. Thus, thorough cleaning is advised prior to installing an anti-roosting system.
To finish the space, a disinfection spray is essential. Germ ClearTM Bird Droppings Disinfectant Spray is what we suggest because it kills any bacteria that might be hiding in addition to cleaning. When bird poop is wet, it usually doesn’t present a threat, but after a while, it can begin to grow bacteria and fungi that can become airborne when dry and cause respiratory issues when breathed in.
To make sure all the droppings are completely soaked, a hose pipe may be required for larger areas. Avoiding inhaling the dried dust during this process is the primary health and safety concern. When removing small amounts of droppings, make sure they are all moist.
Cleaning bird droppings with white vinegar
I applied vinegar to one stain while leaving the seltzer on the other. Unlike the seltzer, the vinegar had already dissolved the stain, so wiping it away didn’t require any effort at all. The only drawback is that it smells, but that only lasts while it’s hot. In fact, it smells even worse.
Conclusion: This is the best option, hands down. Almost no scrubbing needed.
FAQ
How do you clean hardened bird poop?
Does vinegar dissolve bird poop?
Is it OK to touch dried bird poop?
How do you get dried bird poop off concrete?